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One year today - On April 25th, 2012, at just 7 years young, Bonus (CH LegaSea’s Icing on the Cake, JH) drew his last breath in my arms and I felt my heart stop and my own breath leave me…

I borrow these words that were written by a writer for the Portland Oregonian, Ben Hur Lampman; to honor another great dog, a dog some of you may or may not remember – King Buck. While at first glance King Buck and Bonus may appear to have nothing in common – King Buck being a National Field Champion – “…one of the great ones” and never during King Buck’s lifetime “… did he posture, pose or give the slightest indication of public awareness. Flooded timber with wild ducks and wild duck-shooting is when King Buck came typically to life.” Bonus on the other hand was indeed a ham; loving the spotlight and coming to life in the show ring, sure that all who came that day were there to see him and him alone; as one renowned handler once told me “That dog thinks he owns the ring!” However, when Bonus encountered his first duck, he displayed such wild abandonment and joy that his short lived career in hunt tests was as rewarding to me as his career as a show boy!
I believe that Ben Hur Lampman wrote these words to honor every great dog whose master will never forget them for he knows “the place where dogs such as Buck are really buried.” and so I borrow them to bring me comfort …

". . . For if the dog be well remembered, if sometimes he leaps through your dreams actual as in life, eyes kindling, laughing, begging, it matters not where that dog sleeps. On a hill where the wind is unrebuked and the trees are roaring or beside a stream he knew in puppyhood, or somewhere in the flatness of a pasture land where most exhilarating cattle graze. It is one to the dog, and all one to you, and nothing is gained and nothing lost – if memory lives. But there is one best place to bury a dog.
If you bury him in this spot, he will come to you when you call – come to you over the grim, dim frontiers of death, and down the well-remembered path and to your side again. And though you call a dozen living dogs to heel they shall not growl at him nor resent his coming, for he belongs there.

People may scoff at you, who see no lightest blade of grass bent by his footfall, who bear no whimper, people who may never really have had a dog. Smile at them, for you shall know something that is hidden from them.
The one best place to bury a good dog is in the heart of his master."

In Loving Memory:
CH LegaSea’s Icing on the Cake JH (“Bonus”)
October 23, 2004 – April 25, 2012
Rest in peace sweet Bonus, come down the well remembered path to my side again and again.

MAY I GO?
by Susan A. Jackson
May I go now?
Do you think the time is right?
May I say good-bye to pain-filled days
and endless lonely nights?I've lived my life and done my best,
an example tried to be.
So can I take that step beyond
and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first,
I fought with all my might.
But something seems to draw me now
to a warm and loving light.
I want to go. I really do.
It's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can
to live just one more day.
To give you time to care for me
and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and afraid,
because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that,
and hope you'll always know
that my spirit will be close to you
wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me.
You know I love you, too.
That's why it's hard to say good-bye
and end this life with you.So hold me now just one more time
and let me hear you say,
because you care so much for me,
you'll let me go today.

Vicky
RTF Moderatorhttp://www.oakdaleretrievers.com/Remembrance.html "You'll Cry"
____________________________________________
Training is not science, it is art. A blend of this, a measure of that, a deep breath at the appropriate moment and always a loving touch.

She wasnt a water dog but a great one none the less and she was my best ever.

R.I.P. Chloe the Jack Russell Oct 10th 1994 - June 8th 2012

Chloe was a great friend and hunter, she was always on patrol for 17 years she chased small game while hunting and kept our property rodent free, she met me at the gate everyday up until her last day, she was great with my daughter never being aggressive no matter how she was dressed up or made to dance, She was my best dog ever and I've had some really good ones....... Clovis the Puparovis I sure do miss you!!!!

Vicky
RTF Moderatorhttp://www.oakdaleretrievers.com/Remembrance.html "You'll Cry"
____________________________________________
Training is not science, it is art. A blend of this, a measure of that, a deep breath at the appropriate moment and always a loving touch.

The ***STAR*** (c)Doug Coulter 7/96 "All Rights Reserved"

I just saw this on an obedience email list I am on. I'm fortunate that today is not the day for me - yet. My 15 yr old Jewel is slowing down but as of this day, hour, minute, second all is well in the Knapp family. I just felt someone else may be in need of this. If today is your day of "need", I am sorry for your loss.

The ***STAR*** (c)Doug Coulter 7/96 "All Rights Reserved"

I have used the star three times in my life and it has worked all three times.

I used it when my parents died and in July of l996 when I lost my Golden Retriever Tammy.

Part of the blood that flows through my body is Native American,and the Star was told to me years ago by a wise old lady.

I have felt the pain first hand of loosing a Golden and feel I must share the Star with other Golden owners in their time of need.

When someone leaves this earth they must take a very long and lonely journey,what I am going to tell you is how to find out if that journey was successful.

You must have loved your dog when he was alive and upon his death feel as if your heart has been ripped from your body.

The star will not work if it's a false gesture on your part.

You must follow the steps exactly the way I will tell you to find that star.

Go into the night the first clear night you have in your area.

Go to a spot you and your dog used to go.

Close your eyes and talk to your dog as if he is sitting right by your side, don't rush it, tears will flow like a giant river.

All at once you will feel a very strange sensation, it will feel as if the dog is sitting right by your side.

At that moment open your eyes and look to the sky, look all over ,but mostly in the North, Northeast portion.

All at once you will see the brightest and warmest star in the sky, it will be the one blinking.

It will draw your attention to it.

At that moment close your eyes, then open them again and if you see that star again it is you dog telling you that he has had a successful journey.

That star will stay in the same spot night after night until your grieving is over, then it will disappear- never to be seen by you again until you too have made that successful journey.

When your journey is complete, you too will put your star in the sky.

Doug Coulter

Codokas Goldens & Dog Training

Past Home Of: U-CDX -TAMARA OF DOC'S MONTY- CDX ,S-CDX, CGC, REGISTERED THERAPY DOG(Our Little ***STAR***.) 11-9-85 to 7-19-96 Waiting patiently for me at the bridge. I still miss you, I still love you, and the hurt is still there.

"Grief is like the ocean; it comes on waves ebbing and flowing. Sometimes the water is calm, and sometimes it is overwhelming. All we can do is learn to swim."

Vicky
RTF Moderatorhttp://www.oakdaleretrievers.com/Remembrance.html "You'll Cry"
____________________________________________
Training is not science, it is art. A blend of this, a measure of that, a deep breath at the appropriate moment and always a loving touch.

If it's ok Id like to post this here so I can check it every day.

The previous posts have been filled with words that both make me cry and smile and look forward to seeing my Jill again. Thank you!

Yesterday I had to say good bye to my shadow, my companion, my BEST friend of 11 years, Jill. You see I have never really been a people person but Jill brought out emotions and feelings I cant describe. She wasn't the perfect dog by most standards. She chewed through the dry wall all day when she was a pup while I was at work. She shredded magazines and furniture but was always happy to see me no matter what. She was very vocal and whined a lot but I always figured she was trying to talk to me. She was the most gentle dog I have seen, never even batting an eye when my child jumped on her. She never met a stranger and stole the heart of everyone she met whether they liked it or not.

She was my constant partner in the duck blind and was very good at her job. She was no field champion but she was a true champion in the field. Back issues retired her early but her desire to go never failed. She even put up with a new crazy lab in the house that would eventually take over her duties in the blind. Yet, she never complained. She has been by my side through every significant event in my life including being the best "woman" at my wedding and the birth of my children. It seems unfair to get a dog like this as my first. No other can compare. She always seemed more human than animal.

For the past few weeks her appetite has been slowing, the vet believed it was pancreatitis and treated her accordingly. Jill's second favorite thing in the world after getting attention was to eat. So I was very saddened when she refused to eat all together. Her desire to move about went away and her usual extreme tail wag was harder to get. The trip to the vet hospital on Sunday was very difficult. I could almost feel it was her last ride. An overnight stay and fluid replacement did nothing to help her. The xrays proved that she was riddled with cancer.

She looked so tired but the glow in her big brown eyes still took me back to her earlier years. Her body was failing her. I took her a recent killed duck to the hospital and she made several 5 foot retrieves and I got a glimpse of that famous tail wag. The decision was made to not let my best friend suffer any longer. She passed peacefully in my arms with tears streaming down my face. I only hope she realized I was doing this out of love for her and I would do anything to turn back time. Its just not fair that she is gone so soon. I never wanted to think about it happening and always thought I would get a couple more years.

The little things are what is so hard. I miss her putting her nose under my hand and making you pet her whether you wanted to or not. I miss her walking in the kitchen and flipping open the trash can lid to check for something good. I miss the whining and really I miss absolutely everything. I only pray that all the poems and sayings are true and that there is a rainbow bridge and I will see her again. That is the only faith that can keep me going. I hope she is with me and my family now in spirit. Oh what I would give for just one more day.

Please hug your boys and girls tight and give them an extra treat. They are here only for an instant.

I love you Jill. Please save me a place in the duck blind. I will see you soon.

Goodbye my old girl, you were by my side for almost 17 years. I would say you were no more than a house pet because you were never field trained, but you were so much more. You were a friend and a constant companion. My first dog, my first Golden. Miss you so very much.

"Tiny"
3-20-1997 - 11-22-2013
"Whisper my name in your heart, and I will be there"